[Importance of instructing anesthesiologists in handwashing against bacterial contamination]

The importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of nosocomial infection has been stressed. Using a modified glove juice method, we have already shown the efficacy of washing of anesthesiologists' hands with alcohol based antiseptic solutions against bacterial contamination. The efficacy of handwashing, however, varied because many anesthesiologists washed only the palm and the back. In the present study, we instructed them to wash their hands using rubbing method, from finger tip to the wrist until drying the solutions completely. We compared the efficacy of handwashing, by decrease of bacteria counts after general anesthesia, between the instructed method and the customary way which was done ordinarily in the ward. The instructed method was more effective on the decrease of bacteria counts than the customary way. In the instructed method, the efficacy of handwashing was not different between the antiseptic solutions. In conclusion, doctors not only should practice handwashing with the antiseptic solutions after each contact with the patient, but also wash their hands from the finger tip to the wrist until they become completely dry.